By Kyle McCarthy

The Forecast evaluates the reason behind the Eastern Conference woes before revealing its Week 22 picks.

If the circumstances do not change, the Eastern Conference could end up largely on the outside of the playoff picture.

Four Western Conference teams – FC Dallas, San Jose, Seattle and Colorado – fill the four wild card berths heading into the weekend.

The cause isn't a lost one for the Eastern brigade with a third of the season left to play. Toronto FC starts Week 22 just two points behind eighth-placed Colorado, while Chicago must close a four-point deficit with two games in hand. Throw in Kansas City's five-point gap and the Eastern Conference has three teams within a pair of wins of the playoffs.

In order to eradicate the deficit and ensure Columbus and New York have some familiar company in the postseason, the aspiring Eastern Conference playoff contenders must find a way to improve their road form.

The numbers make for grisly reading for the bottom six sides in the East:

Toronto FC: 1-7-1

Chicago: 3-4-2

Kansas City: 1-6-2

New England: 1-8-1

Philadelphia: 1-9-1

D.C. United: 1-7-2

It isn't difficult to see why these sides are in their current predicament. The six sides have played 58 games away from home and collected just 33 points. Strip away Chicago's respectable tally of 12 points in 9 road matches and the yield decreases significantly.

Fortunately for the four Eastern Conference clubs – New England rests just seven points out of a berth entering the weekend – still chasing a playoff berth, there is still time to rectify those troubling away days. It may take an extra dash of commitment and a solid foundation at the back, but a composed performance or two could reverse the string of adverse results and fuel a playoff run.

The solution, however, is still just conjecture. Without significant improvement away from home, those hopeful Eastern Conference sides may have to watch yet again as a Western Conference club or two mounts a postseason push for the Eastern Conference crown.

If Kansas City can find a way to score first against the Galaxy (0-4-1 when conceding the opening goal), this match could end up far differently than many people would project. The Wizards' poor away form, however, does not make this feat particularly likely.